General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
AI is changing our everyday life and is coming to the construction industry as well. A-Insinöörit is a Finnish built environment planning and consulting company with a community of 1,300 experts. The company assists builders, real estate developers and housing companies succeed in building, industrial and infrastructure projects in six business areas: development, architectural design, structural design, renovation design, industrial and building technology, and community and environmental planning.
A-Insinöörit, convinced of the advantages that the adoption of AI can bring, aimed to benefit from AI in order to become a forerunner in utilizing it in the construction industry. To have an AI impact to one’s own business, the understanding of AI needs to be at certain level so that maturity of ideas, proof of concepts and implementations are meaningful. To achieve this level of understanding and expertise, A-Insinöörit enrolled AI accelerator service from Finnish AI Region EDIH.
Company specific objectives for AI Accelerator service:
• Mastery of the basics of AI
• Getting to know and networking with the relevant players in the AI and construction industry
• Understanding the possibilities of utilizing AI in business
• Learning, concepting and trialing relevant AI concepts
• Advancing the organisational AI maturity and internal AI capability.
Solutions
Based on the company's challenge, Finnish AI Region EDIH (FAIR EDIH) recommended an AI Accelerator Service. Based on the information acquired, AI accelerator was considered to be a perfect fit, proving the company with the education and know-how necessary for the fundamental use of AI and the development of successful AI projects. AI Accelerator Service was produced by FAIR EDIH consortium member KIRA Innovation Hub.
During the service, participants from the customer company studied the use of data and AI technologies, learning how to harness these tools effectively to solve real-world problems. Additionally, they gained skills in defining business impact and evaluating AI ideas, ensuring that proposed solutions were both innovative and practical. The service lasted for 4 months, during which the customers engaged with AI and business experts frequently to identify potential AI use cases, prioritize those use cases and create a concept level and functional first version of the actual solution.
Through this intensive service, the A-Insinöörit team acquired a comprehensive understanding of AI principles and their applications. This knowledge enabled them to conceptualize and implement AI solutions that align with their strategic goals. As a result, the team identified and developed two separate AI proof-of-concept (POC) projects. These POCs were meticulously planned and executed internally, both during and after the AI accelerator program.
Results and Benefits
All the objectives listed in the challenge were successfully achieved, marking a significant milestone for A-Insinöörit:
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Ability to execute POC-Level pilots internally: The team developed and executed proof-of-concept (POC) pilots independently, showcasing their capability to translate theoretical AI knowledge into practical, impactful solutions. This internal execution demonstrated a solid grasp of AI project workflows, from initial concept through to implementation and evaluation.
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Business vision for the construction field: The team cultivated a clear and forward-thinking business vision tailored to the construction industry. This vision encompasses the strategic integration of AI to enhance efficiency, safety, and innovation, positioning A-Insinöörit as a leader in leveraging AI for construction.
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Technical expertise in AI: Participants gained in-depth technical expertise in AI technologies, critical for the continued development and refinement of AI solutions that meet the unique challenges of the construction sector.
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Bold development of AI ideas: The team embraced a bold and innovative approach to developing AI ideas. This mindset encouraged the exploration of novel solutions and creative applications of AI, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization.
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Exploration of use cases and business potential: Through the program, the team actively explored various AI use cases, ensuring that AI initiatives were not only technically feasible but also aligned with business objectives and value creation.
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Utilization of existing data: The team effectively utilized familiar data sources to drive AI projects. By leveraging existing data, they ensured the relevance and accuracy of AI models, facilitating smoother integration into current processes and systems.
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Active use of ready-made AI applications: In addition to developing custom AI solutions, the team actively incorporated ready-made AI applications into their workflows. This pragmatic approach allowed for quick wins and immediate improvements, demonstrating the practical benefits of AI adoption.
In conclusion, the comprehensive achievement of these objectives underscores A-Insinöörit's commitment to advancing their AI capabilities. The ability to execute POC pilots internally, combined with a clear business vision and technical expertise, positions the company to continue pioneering AI-driven innovations in the construction industry.
Perceived social/economic impact
The AI accelerator demonstrated several valuable social and economic impacts, including:
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Illustrating the Integration of AI tools with core business operations: It showcased how specific AI tools can be seamlessly connected to a company’s main business, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
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Building momentum for broader involvement, encouraging more individuals and teams to engage with AI initiatives.
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Translating promising AI into practical applications: It provided a practical framework for transforming promising AI technologies into real-world applications, bridging the gap between innovation and practice.
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Presenting and Justifying AI Development to Stakeholders: The service equipped participants with strategies to effectively present and justify AI development to various stakeholders, including decision-makers and construction experts.
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Achieving Superior and Cost-Effective Outcomes: It demonstrated that AI implementation can lead to higher quality results and greater profitability, delivering superior end products at reduced costs.
Measurable data
Throughout the service, the customer has actively engaged in various learning and development opportunities, achieving notable milestones, including the completion of multiple workshops, the development of AI tools, and the successful conclusion of a specialized course. In details:
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Number of workshops attended by the customer: 4
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Number of PoC level AI tools developed during the service: 2
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AI for built environment course completion.
Lessons learned
These items were found to be valuable do’s:
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Strengthening the culture of experimentation: Fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged allows for creativity, innovation, and the testing of new ideas, while it helps in rapidly iterating and refining AI solutions to find the most effective ones.
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Peer support for AI experiments: Peer support can provide motivation, share insights, and offer different perspectives that enhance the quality of AI experiments. Collaborative efforts lead to better outcomes and more innovative solutions.
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Defining a clear continuum of "What Can Be Done Next": Establishing a roadmap for future steps It ensures that there is a clear progression from initial experiments to larger, more integrated projects.
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Connection to the business unit's daily operations: Integrating AI projects into the day-to-day operations ensures relevance and practicality. AI initiatives should not exist as isolated 'development islands' but should be seamlessly integrated into the fabric of regular business activities to drive real-world impact.
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Tightly linking the development project and the business goal together: Ensuring that every AI development project is closely aligned with specific business goals is essential for demonstrating value.
Don’ts:
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Don’t underestimate the need for constant communication to a wider audience: It is critical to maintain ongoing communication before, during, and after AI development.
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Don’t neglect the need for business understanding: Maintaining a strong understanding of business needs is crucial, as technology should serve the business, not the other way around. Ensuring that AI solutions are driven by business goals prevents misalignment and wasted resources.
- Don’t try to solve too large and complex business needs at once: Breaking down large problems into smaller, manageable components allows for more focused and successful AI implementations.
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